The past year has had the lot for us bikers. There’s been the grip and endless sunshine of the best biking summer since 1976, amazing places to ride to and also, wonderful bikes to do it on. Things have never been better.

There’s something special about riding at night…as long asyou can actually see, that is. Chasing the cone of light along unlit lanes, bats pinwheeling off into the night sky, the occasional fox glimpsed slinking away into the undergrowth. All good as long as there are no deer leaping out at you…

Everyone has one. Sometimes it’s the leather jacket they started riding in, or maybe one they saved to buy to go with a particular bike. But more often than not — especially for year-round riders or those who do a lot of miles — the coat of choice turns out to be a textile…

When you look at the toughest adventure event in the world, the Dakar Rally, the bikes are all 450s now. They’re a far cry from the tribe of road-focused 1200cc road bikes that has evolved from the earlier generations of desert racers.

Though Spain and Portugal are a long way from the UK, the riding is so good and the rest of the experience so outstanding that it is always worth going – and with this guide, touring there should be effortless….

Motorcycling is increasingly full of extreme contrasts and it’s all the better for it. Whether you want a hi-tech, high-speed sports tourer or a traditional roadster, big on charisma but free of unnecessary frills, there’s a bike for you

This issue is a bit different. It’s where we look back at the best bits of 2017, from life with the year’s test bikes to brilliant products and great rides – including some of your trips. With a summer that was actually sunny, it seems 2017 was a properly memorable year for lots of us.

This month, Martin and the test team headed to the Dales with three great sports tourers. From popular biking routes to back lanes, they found brilliant roads highlighting the strengths – and the weaknesses – of their bikes.

In this issue we take a look at some of the alternatives available to the BMW R1200GS, Britain’s favourite large-capacity motorbike, such as Yamaha Super Ténéré, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and the great-value used dual-sport machines on offer.

Inside the July issue, Matt investigates the second-hand market, we have tested the Aprilia Tuono V4, Yamaha SCR950, Honda CB1100RS and more. Plus there's a free 32 page New Rider supplement, with everything you need to know to start riding.

This month Team RiDE began planning short, easy trips to turn spring weekends into mini-holidays. I looked at city breaks in England’s historic heartland, Simon Hargreaves scoured the coast for quirky days out, while Kev Raymond dredged out his European map to find the best handy destinations on the Continent.

After nearly ten years at the helm, editor Colin Overland has left RiDE and I’m taking over. Don’t worry – I’ll ensure your favourite magazine continues to hunt out the best bargains in biking and delivers product tests, road tests, buying advice, touring tips and more of your stories every month. These are exciting times to be riding bikes, with manufacturers doing more than ever to make machines to suit all tastes. Here at RiDE, our job is to help you find the one that’s best for you...

Inside the March issue we take a look at 2017's highly desirable - and highly priced - new bikes. There’s also a really significant product test for all the technology that matters without the four-digit price tag...

This issue comes out at a time of year when many of us are riding less, and perhaps have a bit more time for reading some longer, more reflective stories. So, for the first time, here’s our Review of the Year. As ever with RiDE, there’s a mix of bikes, gear, riding and events – but looking back, rather than forward...

This month we are checking out the latest batch of 2017 bikes, mostly revealed at the recent Milan show. Not that we want to make you unsatisfied with whatever bike you’re currently riding, but have you seen that new Multistrada, or the BMW cafe racer, or the Triumph bobber? We’ll be riding and assessing these bikes in detail over the coming months.

In the latest issue of RiDE, the Triumph T120 Bonneville goes up against the Moto Guzzi V9 and Yamaha XSR900 in our retro shootout in the Cotswolds. We test the best ever Triumph Speed Triple, show you the fuss-free way to fit a chain oiler and reveal the best biking trousers. Plus there are 15 great routes perfect for late summer.

In the October issue the Suzuki SV650, Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki ER-6n head to the North York Moors to find out which middleweight naked offers the most for just £6k. We test twelve £200 full-face helmets and ride the new Enfield adventure bike in the Himalayas, plus we test the brilliant BMW and Guzzi Scramblers and there’s a used KTM RC8 for £5000.

In the latest issue we ride Scotland’s most amazing route, the North Coast 500, on the world’s best adventure bikes – the Triumph Explorer, Ducati Multistrada Enduro, BMW GS-A and KTM 1290. We test 11 messenger bags, ride the superb new Yamaha Tracer 700 and also test the Triumph Bonneville T120.